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News | Rays
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See ya, Devil; welcome, sunburst
The new uniforms, unconfirmed, are leaked on the Web.
By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 21, 2007
The Rays aren't dropping just the Devil.
As part of their switch to new blue-schemed uniforms, they have taken the Tampa Bay off their road jerseys in favor of their new Rays logo. They will, however, keep the TB on their caps.
Images of the new uniforms and logos leaked on the Internet on Thursday show a clean design, a color scheme of navy and light blue with a sunburst of yellow, and a return to sleeved jerseys from vests.
They'll wear traditional all-white uniforms at home and gray on the road with navy caps, but have "alternate" navy tops and an alternate road cap with a light-blue bill. One new logo features the word Rays over a baseball diamond, and another stacks Tampa Bay and Rays.
The Rays didn't confirm that the leaked designs were the right ones, but they didn't deny it either, instead asking fans to wait for a scheduled mid-November unveiling.
"We are planning an exciting celebration this fall, at which time we will launch the new marks," team vice president Rick Vaughn said. "We will celebrate this occasion with our fans, players and supporters. We are excited to share this event with the Tampa Bay community. It will provide the first opportunity to get a complete sense of our new look and its meaning to our organization."
The images, plus details on changes other teams are making, appeared to come from a Major League Baseball produced document, and first appeared Thursday on the Web site http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2631077.
The model, for what it's worth, is wearing Rocco Baldelli's No. 5.
[Last modified September 21, 2007, 01:07:42]
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Comments on this article
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by Brad
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09/22/07 11:37 AM
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As KERMIT THE FROG once said, "It's not easy being green." Raymond is blue! It's all about the mascot folks. Change is good and the Rays need change. "DEVIL" has unofficially been dropped for some time anyway so we knew this was coming. #5 got a job?
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by Jami
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09/22/07 11:17 AM
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I think it's really stupid to change the name and the colors of the Devil Rays! What are they gonna do get rid of the sting ray tank too?! They should just keep the colors the same. Tampa Bay Rays just sounds like somethings missing.
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by John
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09/22/07 02:56 AM
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You should all be glad they changed the name to "Rays." "Devil Rays" was far and away the worst name in baseball. It sounded like something a little kid came up with to sound tough. Not a good baseball name; Rays is better. Unis still suck though
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by David
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09/22/07 12:17 AM
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KEEP THE OLD UNIFORMS
our current uniforms are great!
why change it to something so uigly.
if the rays ownership is listening and really cares what rays fans have to say, then listen to this: KEEP THE GREEN! GO RAYS!
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by David
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09/22/07 12:16 AM
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The leaked new logos and jersey's are not only ugly, but boring. The blue takes away any uniqueness the team color scheme had and makes it exactly like half of MLB. The green was not only goodlooking, but it gave us an unique identity.
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by Anthony
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09/21/07 11:36 PM
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It's unfortunate that they're taking "Devil" out of the name. Tampa Bay Rays sounds awful and plain. Tampa Bay (insert word here) Rays sounds much better. I hope Stu and company reconsider, but we all know what the chances of that are.
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by Eldon
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09/21/07 06:03 PM
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For traditionalists, the "manta ray" logo remains on the left sleeve of the uniform, and makes the transition less odious. Don't know why they went to blue either.
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by Mike
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09/21/07 05:14 PM
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If you are going to play like the Royals, you might as well dress like the Royals.
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by CS
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09/21/07 03:11 PM
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I do like the green uniforms, but i dont like the fact that they are vests. And about the "devil" i usually call them the rays and i hope this change will spark a winning trend on tampa bay
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by John
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09/21/07 02:27 PM
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Changing name and color is not going to sell one more ticket. I have been there from the beginning and liked the original colors. They were great. Nothing wrong with the name. I gave my opinion to customer service several time. Wasted my breath.
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by Matthew
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09/21/07 01:50 PM
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Thanks Jeff! Richard is an idiot if that was the only reason why he didn't buy his kids Devil Ray gear! "Devil Ray" is a common name of the manta ray, not b/c the organization was referring to the logo as a devilish, evil creature!
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by Billy
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09/21/07 01:08 PM
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I guess the green uniforms were like wearing tuxedos to a hay ride. Now our uniforms will be as dull as our stadium.. rays of sunshine...how cute! This may be the worst move by the ownership this year!
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by Jeff
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09/21/07 12:22 PM
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You are an idiot if the only thing that kept you from buying DEVIL RAYS gear was the word DEVIL on it.
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by JSP
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09/21/07 11:49 AM
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I liked the dark green, and hope there is athird option (like the green) It is all about marketing, like it or not...
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by Tony
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09/21/07 11:07 AM
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I was hoping I would wake up this morning and discover this was just some bad dream. Unfortunately, it's reality. I hope the higher-ups are listening to the public outcry. I know they won't scrap the change, but there's still time for a few tweaks.
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by Tony
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09/21/07 11:05 AM
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Again, that's not an alternate 3rd jersey. It is a batting practice/spring training jersey. The panels on the sides, and the hat are a dead giveaway. Perhaps there will be a 3rd jersey, but this isn't it.
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by Richard
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09/21/07 10:41 AM
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Great idea with the change. Hope we get the same results as the Bucs when they changed. Great idea getting rid of the word "devil". Now a I will get Rays gear for the kids.
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by Ben
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09/21/07 09:25 AM
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The new unis are ok, they have more of a classic style and they make us look like less of a late 90's expansion team. I too like the current uniforms but change could help with building the identity of a winner. Bucs got better after a uniform change
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by Christian
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09/21/07 09:21 AM
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OK I could live with the logo
change. But now we look like
10 other teams with that blue.
The dark green and black and
the unform's were great.
I would hate to dress as bad
as we play. I can hear the
crickets already.
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by Chris
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09/21/07 09:08 AM
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Please tell me these uniforms are a joke. They look like early 80's in a
bad way. Who is in charge of making
our DEVIL RAYS look like goof's.
I'am going out and buying the green
cut offs, and wearing it at home.
Tell me it's a joke.
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by John
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09/21/07 07:04 AM
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Why take the "Tampa Bay" off the road uniforms? That is a violation of baseball tradition. And, why even change anything. I think the current uniforms are awsome. If you are going to change anything, change the entire bullpen staff.
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